Arch-supporting shoe



J. cUTlLLo 2,070,116

A RCH SUPPORTING SHOE Feb. 9, 1937.

Filed Aug. 18, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 1 C70/7W ww/0,

Feb. 9, 1937. 1 (3U-ULL@ ARCH SUPPORTING SHOE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1B, 1934 i@ 7 0, y di 2 my W7 @/ww m1 @l v III/llllllllllI/IIIII/A'II Patented Feb. 9, l1937 UNITED STATES `PATlezNT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in shoe constructions, and has more particular reference to an improved shoe construction embodying a built-in adjustable arch-supporting structure adapted for supporting fallen arches and protecting high arches by preventing them from breaking down.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved arch-supporting shoe of the above'kind having an improved insole construction aiording an arch-supporting structure adapted to accommodate a supplemental arch-supporting insert so that the arch-supporting structure may be accurately adjusted both longitudinally and transversely of the shoe to provide the proper position and form to comfortably fit and properly support the arch in accordance with the individual requirements of each case.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having an arch-supporting 'structure of the above kind which is extremely simple and durable, and wherein the supplemental arch-supporting insert is of such form and a1- lows such substantially universal adjustment as to insure ecient results.

The present invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings: l

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View ofan arch-supporting shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention. v

Figure 2 s a horizontal sectional view thereo taken on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the supplemental arch-supporting insert.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan View of the main or upper member or section of the insole. l

Figure 6 is a similar view of the secondary or lower member or section of said insole; and

Figure 'l is a longitudinal section of the supplemental arch-supporting insert taken on line '1 -1 of Figure 4. s

The present invention is illustrated in connection with a shoe of the welt type, including an ordinary or any preferred upper 5, an outsole 6', a welt 1 stitched to and on the margin of the outsole 6 as at 8, and a heel 9.

In accordance withthe present invention, the shoe is provided with an insole comprising a main or upper member or section I0 and a secondary (Cl. Sii-8.5)

or lower member or section II. The main or upper insole section I0 is of full length and slightly longer than usual, for a purpose which will be presently made apparent. Also, thismain or upper insole 6 is provided in its lower face s around the fore part with a marginal upwardly and outwardly inclined stitch-receiving channel I2 which terminates at each side just forward of the shank portion or just rearwardly of the ball ofthe sole.

The secondary or lower insole section II is shaped and proportioned to substantially conform to the rear part of the main section I0 which is composed of a shank portion I3 and a heel portion I4. Also, the secondary or lower insole 15 section I I is scarfed or beveled as at I5 through- .out the marginal edges thereof so as to avoid excessive bulk where these edges overlie the inner edge portions of the welt 1, the marginal edges of the main or upper insole section III 20 being similarly scarfed or beveled as at I6 for a. similar purpose and to give upwardly slightly to affordvthe proper shape to the upper 5 where it passes upwardly around the marginal edges of the insole sections I0 and II. Entirely along 25 the opposite side edges and around the rear or heel edge of said secondary or lower insole section Il, the latter is provided in its lower 'face with an upwardly and outwardly inclined stitchreceiving channel I1 which, when the upper and 30 lower sections of the insole are assembled, forms a Ycontinuation of the channel I2 inthe upper section I0. It will be noted that the welt 1 extends entirely around the marginal edge of the outer sole 6, the portion of the upper inner sole 35 section I0 which is provided with the channel I2 being stitched throughout the channel as at I8 to the welt 'l at the fore part of the sole. In a like manner, the lower insole section I I is stitched throughout its channel I'I along its sides and 40 around its rear or heel edge to the welt 1, as at I9, at `the rear part of the sole. The heel portion of the main or upper insole section I0 is then permanently secured to the heel portion of the lower insole section II by suitable means, 45 such as the nails 20 which fasten the heel 9 Vto the heel portion of the outer sole 6, and due to the fact that theupper insole section I 0 is slightly longer than usual, the shank portion I 3 is thereby bulged upwardly as shown clearly in Figure 1 so 50 as to form a pocket between the shank portions of the insole sections I0 and II, throughout the arch portion ofk the shoe and open at both sides of the latter.

Removably' positioned Within the pocket er i? space thus provided between `the shank portions of the insole sections Ill and I| is the main or body portion of a supplemental arch supporting insert 2|. This insert 2| is preferably formed of a piece of soft and pliable leather with its body portion of a length somewhat less than the length of the` pocket or space provided between the shank portions of the insole sections, as illustrated clearly in Figure 1, thereby providing material adjustment of the insert longitudinally of the shoe, in addition to the fact that the insert is adjustable laterally of the shoe by a transverse sliding movement and by limited turning of the insert about a vertical axis. In this way, the high point of the upwardly bulged shank por'- tion I3 of the upper insole section I0 may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly ofthe shoe and transversely thereof with corresponding modification of the slant and form of the portion I3 which directly engages the arch of the foot. This will be more clearly understood when it is made apparent that the body portion of the insert-v 2I is provided witha forward limited area 22 of maximum thickness, the remainder of the insert being scar'fed orbeveled to nearly a feather edge outwardly from this area 22 of maximum thickness.v The forward end portion of the insert 2| is also narrowed and rounded as at 23 to properly conform to the forward portion of the arch of the foot, as well as to facilitate the turning adjustment of the insert about a vertical axis. Formed. on the rear portion of insert 2| is a relatively large rounded lateralv tongue or extension 24 which is curved outwardly and upwardly to extend upwardly against the upper 5 of the shoe at the inner side of the arch and thereby afford proper support for the arch of the foot at this side where the arch is highest. Naturally, when the shoe is laced or otherwise fastened on the foot the upper tends to raise this extension or tongue 24 and the adjacent inner side portion of the bulged shank I3 of the upper insole section I0, so that it willcontact and properly support the adjacent portion of the arch of the foot.

From this description, it should be apparent that longitudinal transverse and limited rotatable ad- .iustment of the insert will accommodate the arch support to arches of various forms and types so Yas to properly support them and at the same time insure complete comfort to the wearer. It will of course be understood that, as illustrated, the upper will be secured by the stitching at I8 and I9 between the welt l and the adjacent marginal portions of the insole sections I0 and II.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an extremely simple shoe construction, wherein an arch support is incorporated in the structure of the shoe,

mere adjustment of the insert itself to differentl positions within the pocket or space provided between the shank portions of the insole sections. Minorchanges in the specific form of parts and details of construction illustratedfand described are Vcontemplated within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1n a shoe having a built-in adjustable arch support, the combination of an outer sole, a welt stitched on and extending throughout the margin of said outer sole, an insole comprising anv upper main section and a lower secondary section, an upper secured between said welt and said insole, said main yinsole .section extending the full length of the outer sole and having only its fore-part sewed at the front and sides to the welt, said secondary insole section being sewed to the welt along its side and rear edges and terminating. at its forward end substantially at the rear line of the ball of the sole, said main insole section further being slightly greater than usual length and being secured at its heel portion to the heel portion of the secondary insole section so that the shank portion of said main insole section is bulged upwardly to form a permanent yieldable arch support and to provide a space between the shank portions of said insole sections open at'both sides of the shoe, and a supplemental' arch support adjusting insert removably positioned in said space between the shank portions of the insole sections, said insert being of lesser length than said space and adapted for adjustment in the latter both transversely and longitudinally of the shoe, said insert further having a lateral extension on the inner side of the rear portion thereof curved and projecting outwardly and upwardly beyond the inner sides of the shank portions of the insole sections to raise the inner side portion of said permanent arch support and furnish additional support for the inner side of the arch when the shoe is fastened on the foot, said extension also providing means to facilitate removal or adjustment of said insert.

JOHN CUTILLO. 

